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Han G, Choi J, Cha SY, Kim BI, Kho HK, Jang MJ, Kim MA, Maeng S, Hong H. Effects of Radix Polygalae on Cognitive Decline and Depression in Estradiol Depletion Mouse Model of Menopause. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2021; 43:1669-1684. [PMID: 34698102 PMCID: PMC8929121 DOI: 10.3390/cimb43030118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Postmenopausal syndrome refers to symptoms caused by the gradual decrease in female hormones after mid-40 years. As a target organ of estrogen, decrease in estrogen causes various changes in brain function such as a decrease in choline acetyltransferase and brain-derived neurotrophic factor; thus, postmenopausal women experience cognitive decline and more depressive symptoms than age-matched men. Radix Polygalae has been used for memory boosting and as a mood stabilizer and its components have shown neuroprotective, antidepressant, and stress relief properties. In a mouse model of estrogen depletion induced by 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide, Radix Polygalae was orally administered for 3 weeks. In these animals, cognitive and depression-related behaviors and molecular changes related to these behaviors were measured in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Radix Polygalae improved working memory and contextual memory and despair-related behaviors in 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide-treated mice without increasing serum estradiol levels in this model. In relation to these behaviors, choline acetyltransferase and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus and bcl-2-associated athanogene expression increased in the hippocampus. These results implicate the possible benefit of Radix Polygalae in use as a supplement of estrogen to prevent conditions such as postmenopausal depression and cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaeul Han
- Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si 17104, Korea; (G.H.); (J.C.); (S.-Y.C.); (B.I.K.); (H.K.K.); (M.-J.J.); (M.A.K.)
| | - Junhyuk Choi
- Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si 17104, Korea; (G.H.); (J.C.); (S.-Y.C.); (B.I.K.); (H.K.K.); (M.-J.J.); (M.A.K.)
| | - Seung-Yun Cha
- Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si 17104, Korea; (G.H.); (J.C.); (S.-Y.C.); (B.I.K.); (H.K.K.); (M.-J.J.); (M.A.K.)
| | - Byung Il Kim
- Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si 17104, Korea; (G.H.); (J.C.); (S.-Y.C.); (B.I.K.); (H.K.K.); (M.-J.J.); (M.A.K.)
| | - Hee Kyung Kho
- Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si 17104, Korea; (G.H.); (J.C.); (S.-Y.C.); (B.I.K.); (H.K.K.); (M.-J.J.); (M.A.K.)
| | - Maeng-Jin Jang
- Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si 17104, Korea; (G.H.); (J.C.); (S.-Y.C.); (B.I.K.); (H.K.K.); (M.-J.J.); (M.A.K.)
| | - Mi Ae Kim
- Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si 17104, Korea; (G.H.); (J.C.); (S.-Y.C.); (B.I.K.); (H.K.K.); (M.-J.J.); (M.A.K.)
| | - Sungho Maeng
- Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si 17104, Korea; (G.H.); (J.C.); (S.-Y.C.); (B.I.K.); (H.K.K.); (M.-J.J.); (M.A.K.)
- Department of Gerontology (AgeTech-Service Convergence Major), Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si 17104, Korea
- Correspondence: (S.M.); (H.H.); Tel.: +82-31-201-2916 (S.M.); +82-2-2049-6274 (H.H.)
| | - Heeok Hong
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
- Correspondence: (S.M.); (H.H.); Tel.: +82-31-201-2916 (S.M.); +82-2-2049-6274 (H.H.)
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Jin M, Jin F, Zhang L, Chen Z, Huang H. Two estrogen replacement therapies differentially regulate expression of estrogen receptors alpha and beta in the hippocampus and cortex of ovariectomized rat. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 142:107-14. [PMID: 16290139 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbrainres.2005.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2004] [Revised: 09/02/2005] [Accepted: 09/18/2005] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
As estrogens have been implicated in altered cognitive function associated with menopause, the purpose of the present study was to determine the regulatory effects of different estrogen preparations on the expression of estrogen receptor subtypes in the hippocampus and cortex of ovariectomized rats. The expression of estrogen receptor mRNA and protein was determined with RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Two estrogen reagents, Premarin and Progynova, were used in the present study. Premarin, a conjugated equine estrogen, down-regulated ER alpha expression in the hippocampus and cortex of ovariectomized rats and had no effect on levels of ER beta expression in the same two regions. However, Progynova (valerate estradiol) was shown to up-regulate ER beta expression in the hippocampus and cortex and had no effect on the levels of ER alpha expression. Our present data suggest that different estrogen reagents used in estrogen replacement therapy could have different regulatory effects on the expression of estrogen receptor subtypes, which might, at least in part, explain why clinically, different estrogen preparations have distinct estrogenic effects on target organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Jin
- Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China
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Tomobe K, Isobe M, Okuma Y, Kitamura K, Oketani Y, Nomura Y. Genetic analysis of learning and memory deficits in senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM). Physiol Behav 2005; 84:505-10. [PMID: 15811384 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2004.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2004] [Revised: 12/17/2004] [Accepted: 12/21/2004] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Genetic analysis of learning and memory deficits (LMD) in senescence-accelerated mouse P8 (SAMP8) was performed by cross-mating SAMP8 and Japanese Fancy Mouse 1 (JF1). The incidence of LMD in the F2 generation showed a 3:1 segregation ratio of mice with LMD to normal mice, and the incidence of LMD in the backcross generation of the F1 to JF1 parental strain was in agreement with a 1:1 ratio of mice with LMD to normal mice. Estimation of the number of genes involved in the development of LMD using Wright's formula showed that at least two to four genes are involved. These results suggest that the inheritance of LMD is polygenically controlled and that there may be a single major gene, but this locus is not sex-linked. Moreover, hormonal influence on the development of LMD in SAMP8 females is of a genotype-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Tomobe
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
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Abstract
More women than men have Alzheimer's disease (AD). Retrospective studies suggested that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) might counteract this disparity by reducing the risk of developing dementia. However, a recent, large, prospective study revealed the puzzling result that HRT increased dementia risk. A review of the literature was conducted to generate hypotheses that might explain why more women than men have AD, and how HRT may increase dementia risk. Longer life span of women than men may be the largest factor in the preponderance of women with AD. Longer duration of disease, less vascular dementia, and less testosterone in women than men may also contribute somewhat. HRT might increase dementia risk by several mechanisms: greater risk of strokes, leading to dementia; use of medroxyprogesterone acetate and estrone, which might have somewhat different possible effects on neuronal and cerebrovascular function than may progesterone and estradiol; decrease of free testosterone which might protect against AD; a dose or delivery method perhaps producing drug levels that might lie outside a hypothetical beneficial range; and down-regulation of estrogen receptors on cholinergic neurons, possibly reducing cholinergic activity. Further study is required to discern by which of several possible mechanisms HRT increases dementia risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larry W Baum
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
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Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. After menopause, circulating levels of oestrogens decline markedly and oestrogen influences several brain processes predicted to modify AD risk. For example, oestrogen reduces the formation of beta-amyloid, a biochemical hallmark of AD. Oestrogen effects on oxidative stress and some effects on inflammation and the cerebral vasculature might also be expected to ameliorate risk. However, AD pathogenesis is incompletely understood and other oestrogen actions could be deleterious. Limited clinical trial evidence suggests that oestrogen therapy, begun after the onset of AD symptoms, is without substantial benefit or harm. Observational studies have associated oestrogen-containing hormone therapy with reduced AD risk. However, in the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study - a randomised, placebo-controlled trial of women 65 - 79 years of age - oral oestrogen plus progestin doubled the rate of dementia, with heightened risk appearing soon after treatment was initiated. Based on current evidence, hormone therapy is thus not indicated for the prevention of AD. Discrepancies between observational studies and the Women's Health Initiative clinical trial may reflect biases and unrecognised confounding factors in observational reports. Other explanations for divergent findings should be considered in future research, including effects of unopposed oestrogen or different hormone therapy preparations and the intriguing theoretical possibility that effects of hormone therapy on AD risk may be modified by the timing of use (e.g., initiation during the menopausal transition or early postmenopause versus initiation during the late postmenopause).
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor W Henderson
- Donald W Reynolda Center on Aging, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
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Honjo H, Iwasa K, Kawata M, Fushiki S, Hosoda T, Tatsumi H, Oida N, Mihara M, Hirasugi Y, Yamamoto H, Kikuchi N, Kitawaki J. Progestins and estrogens and Alzheimer's disease. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2005; 93:305-8. [PMID: 15860274 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2004.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Sex-specific incidence rates for Alzheimer's disease (AD) are higher in women than men. Many fundamental researches and some clinical investigations have reported therapeutic and preventive effects of estrogens on AD. But WHIMS [S.A. Shumaker, C. Legault, S.R. Rapp, L. Thal, R.B. Wallace, J.K. Ockene, S.L. Hendrix, B.N. Jones IIIrd, A.R. Assaf, R.D. Jackson, J.M. Kotchen, S. Wabertheil-Smoller, J. Wactawsk-Wende, WHIMS investigators, Estrogen plus progestin and the incidence of dementia and mild cognitive impairment in postmenopausal women. The women's health initiative memory study: a randomized controlled trial, JAMA 289 (2003) 2651-2662], which used daily continuous hormone replacement therapy (HRT), reported that the hazard ratio of the HRT for probable dementia was 2.05. Effect of progestins, and continuous (not cyclically) HRT, even only with estrogen should be reconsidered. In our clinical study, conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) alone showed good changes of psychiatric tests for AD on the 3rd week, but addition of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or norethindrone since 4th week suppressed these tests. Using human umbilical vein epithelial cell (HUVEC), levonorgestrel (LNG), norethindrone acetate (NETA), MPA increased intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and E-secretin but dienogest (DNG) showed no effect. In vitro flow system, estradiol (E2), suppressed adhesion of white cell, but LNG, NETA, MPA increased the adhesions. DNG showed less effect. Non-feminizing estrogen J 861, which has delta8,9 double bond and straight in its structure and has less effect on sexual organs. J 861 has shown ameliorative effects on central nervous system (CNS) (increasing of cholineacetyltransferase immunoreactive cells in substantia innominata (SI), etc.) like E2. More investigations about progestins and estrogens and AD should be done.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideo Honjo
- Department of Gynecology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kawaramachi, Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan.
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Simpkins JW, Yang SH, Liu R, Perez E, Cai ZY, Covey DF, Green PS. Estrogen-like compounds for ischemic neuroprotection. Stroke 2004; 35:2648-51. [PMID: 15472107 DOI: 10.1161/01.str.0000143734.59507.88] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We have synthesized a library of estrogen analogues, including enantiomers of estradiol and A-ring substituted estrogens. These compounds have reduced or no binding to either estrogen receptor-alpha or estrogen receptor-beta, exhibit enhanced neuroprotective activity in in vitro models, and are potent in protecting brain tissue from cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. These potent, nonfeminizing estrogen analogues are prime candidates for use in stroke neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Simpkins
- Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA.
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Wang J, Tanila H, Puoliväli J, Kadish I, van Groen T. Gender differences in the amount and deposition of amyloidbeta in APPswe and PS1 double transgenic mice. Neurobiol Dis 2004; 14:318-27. [PMID: 14678749 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2003.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 222] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Transgenic mice carrying both the human amyloid precursor protein (APP) with the Swedish mutation and the presenilin-1 A246E mutation (APP/PS1 mice) develop Alzheimer's disease-like amyloidbeta protein (Abeta) deposits around 9 months of age. These mice show an age-dependent increase in the level of Abeta40 and Abeta42 and in the number of amyloid plaques in the brain. Abeta40 and Abeta42 levels were measured, and amyloid burden and plaque number were quantified, in the hippocampus at the age of 4, 12, and 17 months in both male and female APP/PS1 mice. In all mice, amyloid burden and plaque number increased markedly with age, with female mice bearing a heavier amyloid burden and higher plaque number compared to male mice of the same age, both at 12 and at 17 months of age. The level of both Abeta40 and Abeta42 significantly increased in female mice with age and was always significantly higher in female than in male mice of the same age. Further, there were significant correlations between amyloid burden and Abeta42 level in female mice and between amyloid burden and plaques in both female and male mice. Together these data show that female APP/PS1 mice accumulate amyloid at an earlier age and that they build up more amyloid deposits in the hippocampus than age-matched male mice. Together, these results provide new insights in the potential mechanisms of the observed gender differences in the pathogenesis of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Jiangsu Province Key Lab of Neuroregeneration, Nantong Medical College, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, PR China
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Caricasole A, Copani A, Caruso A, Caraci F, Iacovelli L, Sortino MA, Terstappen GC, Nicoletti F. The Wnt pathway, cell-cycle activation and beta-amyloid: novel therapeutic strategies in Alzheimer's disease? Trends Pharmacol Sci 2003; 24:233-8. [PMID: 12767722 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-6147(03)00100-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Beta-amyloid protein (betaAP) is thought to cause neuronal loss in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Applied to neurons in culture, betaAP induces neuronal death and hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, which forms neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in AD brains. Neurons also undergo rapid apoptotic death following reactivation of a mitotic cycle. However, the molecular events that determine the fate of neurons challenged with betaAP (apoptotic death, formation of NFTs and survival) are unclear. We discuss a scenario for the pathogenesis of AD. This links betaAP-induced changes to the Wnt signaling pathway that promotes proliferation of progenitor cells and directs cells into a neuronal phenotype during brain development. We propose that betaAP-mediated facilitation of mitogenic Wnt signaling activates unscheduled mitosis in differentiated neurons. Furthermore, late downregulation of Wnt signaling by betaAP might lead to NFT formation. We propose that drugs that both inhibit the cell cycle and rescue Wnt activity could provide novel AD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Caricasole
- Department of Human Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy
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Sawai T, Bernier F, Fukushima T, Hashimoto T, Ogura H, Nishizawa Y. Estrogen induces a rapid increase of calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II activity in the hippocampus. Brain Res 2002; 950:308-11. [PMID: 12231258 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-8993(02)03186-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Molecular genetics experiments using gene targeting and transgenic technology demonstrated the importance of alpha-calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (alphaCaMKII) in long-term potentiation (LTP) and memory. Little information is available though on how CaMKII activity may be regulated in vivo. We show that estradiol benzoate activates CaMKII in a dose and time-dependent manner in mouse hippocampus after 30 min stimulation. The effect of estrogen is via a very rapid nongenomic mechanism that is blocked in vitro in hippocampal primary neurons by the pure estrogen receptor antagonist, ICI 182,780. These results suggest that estrogen action in the hippocampus is linked to CaMKII activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Sawai
- Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Co., Ltd., 5-1-3 Tokodai, Ibaraki 300-2635, Tsukuba City, Japan
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Diel P, Schmidt S, Vollmer G. In vivo test systems for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the biological activity of phytoestrogens. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2002; 777:191-202. [PMID: 12270212 DOI: 10.1016/s1570-0232(02)00494-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Many compounds of plant origin with the ability to bind to the estrogen receptor have been identified in the last decades. One of the most extensively used in vivo assays to characterise the estrogenic potency of these phytoestrogens and mechanisms of their action is the rodent uterotrophic assay. Various protocols exist for this test system, using immature, hypophysectomized, or ovariectomized rats and mice and oral or subcutaneous administration of the test compound. However, just monitoring the ability of a compound to stimulate uterine growth is not sufficient to characterize its estrogenicity. Over the last decades, an increasing number of estrogen sensitive tissues has been identified. Moreover, a variety of different molecular mechanisms have been discovered for the action of estrogens, including non-genomic actions. Therefore, an in vivo test design for estrogenicity should include an analysis of several estrogen sensitive parameters in different estrogen sensitive tissues. To distinguish between agonistic and antagonistic properties of a substance, combinations of the test compound with estrogens and antiestrogens should be analyzed. A reasonable supplement to this enhanced uterotrophic assay are selected estrogen sensitive tumor models, which can be used to test for potential chemopreventive properties of phytoestrogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Diel
- Institute for Morphology und Cancer Research, Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln, D-50927, Köln, Germany.
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Gajdos C, Jordan VC. Selective estrogen receptor modulators as a new therapeutic drug group: concept to reality in a decade. Clin Breast Cancer 2002; 2:272-81. [PMID: 11899358 DOI: 10.3816/cbc.2002.n.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
This article provides an overview of the historical development, current research, clinical benefits, and potential future applications of the selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), tamoxifen and raloxifene. The understanding of the mechanism of action of SERMs led not only to the development of tamoxifen, the first widely used antiestrogen for breast cancer treatment, but also to its application as a chemopreventive agent. The SERM principle of antiestrogenic actions in the breast but estrogenlike actions in bone is reviewed in clinical practice through analysis of the current applications and the potential for expanding the role of SERMs. The current view of the molecular mechanism of SERM action is summarized to identify potential target sites for future research. The clinical success of tamoxifen and raloxifene for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and osteoporosis, respectively, has encouraged the development of a range of new agents that target breast cancer, osteoporosis, coronary heart disease, and endometrial safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Csaba Gajdos
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Medical School, 303 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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